Stem Cells YES Embryonic Cells NO

Stem Cells YES, Embryonic Cells NO

The Court of Justice of the European Parliament adopted a dictum by which embryonic cells must be legally regarded as human embryossince they are capable of developing into a human being. Human life begins from the first moment of conception. The human embryo has a life of its own.



Benigno Blanco, President of the Family Forum, beliefs that it is basic common sense not to allow humans and their genetic identity to become a source of business.

Moreover, Japanese scientist Shinya Yamanaka managed achieved tocreate embryonic-like adult cells, however, without manipulating and destroying the embryos. Stem cells, called iPS, can easily transformthemselves into human tissue, and,without ethical problems. “When I saw an embryo under a microscope, I thought it was not so far from being like my daughters, so I decided I had to find another way to obtain pluripotent cells”, he explained.

He is also looking forward to new research studies. The most important research of his life is the one he has been working on. It deals with the treatment of Spinal Cord Injured patients, in collaboration with other investigators of Keio University in Tokyo (Japan).

The Episcopal Subcommittee for the Family and Defense of Life of the Episcopal Conference, beliefs that no Catholic could support practices such as abortion, euthanasia or the production, freezing and/or manipulation of human embryos.

The Vatican promotes the use of adult stem cells. Their logic is based on the moral principle of the full dignity of all human life from conception until natural death, as affirmed by John Paul II.

Moreover, Benedict XVI advocates that human embryonic stem cells cannot be drawn at the expense of causing their death.In these cases, research that borderlines its therapeutic use is not truly at the service of humanity, since it implies the suppression of human lives; lives that have equal dignity just as other people do.

With this statement, the pope reaffirms the moral principle of absolute equality and dignity between a human embryo, a fetus, an infant, an adult, and a terminally ill elder.

Moreover, the Dictionary of Bioethics, says that the use of embryonic stem cellsfor therapeutic purposesis gravely illicit.(Translated by Gianna A. Sanchez-Moretti)

Author and journalist Clemente Ferrer has led a distinguished career in Spain in the fields of publicity and press relations. He is currently President of the European Institute of Marketing.
clementeferrer3@gmail.com